Broken neck fear for rugby player

Bennet Tupaea (Saddleworth).

AN air ambulance was scrambled amid fears that a 13-year-old boy had suffered a broken neck while playing rugby.

Saddleworth Rangers player Bennet Tupaea — son of former Oldham pro Shane Tupaea — was injured during an under 13s match against Woolston Rovers at Churchill Playing Fields, Greenfield, yesterday morning.

Thankfully the teenager’s injuries were not as severe as initially feared and he was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital by ambulance.

Shane, who coaches the team, said: “When it comes to a neck or spine injury, you err on the side of caution. As soon as he couldn’t move, we decided to immobilise him and get the emergency services involved. Like most back injuries, there is no second opinion other than an X-ray.”

He said that all correct procedures were followed, and the Saddleworth School pupil was given the all-clear to return home following X-rays.

Shane added: “He’s still got a bit of pain, discomfort and bruising but it’s not too serious. It won’t put him off playing. If he’s fit enough, he’ll be playing next week — we will be trying to rein him back!”

Saddleworth Rangers went on to beat the Warrington side 28-10.

Shane added: “We carried on because we thought it was important for the lads because it can be quite traumatic.”

Club chairman Shane Wilson said: “They thought he had broken his neck but there is no bone damage. He had hyperextended his neck against his chest, it’s like a whiplash injury.

Mr Wilson was at the Shaw Hall Bank Road club when the accident happened and added: “I hope nothing like this ever happens again. I have 150 youngsters in my care and I treat them like my own.”